2nd day of deliberations on challenges to the 22A today

Deliberating petitions filed in relation to the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution tabled by the government is scheduled to resume today.

The hearing began yesterday in the Supreme Court, with the submissions of the petitioners concluding around 10.30 last night.

Further submissions by petitioners will resume today alongside submissions from intervening petitioners and the Attorney General.

A 5-member bench chaired by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena conducts the hearings, alongside fellow justices Achala Vengappuli, Arjuna Obeyesekere, Sampath Abeyekoon, and Gihan Kulatunga.

The Supreme Court yesterday rejected a request from the petitioners to direct the consideration of these petitions before a full bench.

The Chief Justice announced the rejection while delivering the order, confirming that the current bench continues the proceedings.

67 petitions were filed before the Supreme Court in relation to the 22nd constitutional amendment, requesting an order to pass the legislation via a referendum.